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PERSECUTION AND MARTYRDOM IN MADAGASCAR.

OUR latest intelligence respecting Madagascar contains so much that is deeply. affecting, that we feel it due to the members of the Society, to the Christian public, and especially to the suffering, but faithful little band in that extensive island, to present a statement of the claims of the Native Christians there, to the devout attention and affectionate sympathy of the British Churches.

Never since the existence of the London Missionary Society has a more intense feeling been created at the Board of its Directors, than was produced on Monday evening, the 8th ult., when communications were made and letters read, detailing the rigorous proceedings of the Government of Madagascar against the disciples of the Redeemer in that country. Suspending all other business, and acting under deep emotions, that will not soon be forgotten, it was felt to be a solemn duty, to bow in prostrate humiliation before God, and to pour out supplications at the Throne of Grace on behalf of that hallowed cause, which the enemy is attempting to crush, and of the persecuted flock now "resisting even unto blood." Yet, mingled with tears of sympathy, and earnest prayers, that God would speedily interpose and rescue his flock from the cruel purposes of men who "would swallow them up," were tears of chastened joy and triumph, that, by the grace of God, the first fatal persecution in Madagascar has revived the spirit of the primitive church, and produced, in the undaunted stedfastness of its first victim, a fresh demonstration of the efficacy and truth of the Gospel. RAFARAVAVY, an early convert, an honoured female saint, has, like Antipas, proved faithful unto death, and has received the crown of life. Many of the native Christians have been called to suffer imprisonment, loss of liberty, and confiscation of property. As yet the history of this persecution is unstained by the record of a single instance of apostacy. God has upheld the faith and patience of his servants in the hour of trial; and, sustained by the consolations of the everlasting Gospel, they have looked at terrors without dismay, and emulated the examples of the Confessors and Martyrs of primitive ages, who from beneath the altar still cry, "How long, Lord ?”

It is now three years since the flame of direct persecution burst forth with violence against Christianity in Madagascar, by the publication of an edict suppressing all Christian instruction in the country. Sincerely as we lamented this, we could not despond as to the issue. Our hope was sustained, not only by a review of the past history of the Church, and by the remembrance of the animating assurance of its Divine Founder, that the very "" Igates of hell shall not prevail against it," but by our acquaintance with facts of a most cheering and satisfactory character, which we did not feel at liberty to publish.*

All public worship being forbidden by the edict of 1835, those who had professed faith in the Saviour were reduced to the alternative of meeting death by direct opposition to the mandates of the Sovereign, or maintaining, in private, the use of the few means of religious improvement remaining among them, or created by their own zeal and affection. Thus, neither provoking the threatened displeasure of the Queen, nor timidly shrinking into entire concealment, a few were in the habit of meeting on the Sabbath, on a mountain at some distance from the Capital, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. These have lately been detected; and the circumstance has led to further search.

The reason of this silence may be found in our being aware of the frequency of com munication between this country and Mauritius, and between that colony and the island referred to. It may suffice to allude to this as the reason for abstaining, even now, from details we else should feel it most suitable and gratifying to communicate.

A box of Christian books, found near the residence of the eminent Christian woman already mentioned, led to her apprehension and imprisonment; her house and property were immediately given up to plunder; and she herself, after several days of suffering inflicted with the view of extorting from her a confession of the names of her companions, was sentenced to an ignominious death, by the hands of the common executioner. Fifteen others had been apprehended, and condemned to the utter and final loss of liberty, never to be redeemed by their friends; and with the further stipulation, that, if transferred to other masters, it shall be on the condition of their being compelled to labour from morning to night, to the utmost limits of their strength. Their property has been also confiscated.* Of those who were married, their wives and children, whether professing Christianity or not, were also reduced to slavery, but with the mitigating circumstance of permission to be redeemed. The total number thus affected is said to amount to nearly one hundred.

Strong, however, as are the claims of these suffering survivors, if, indeed, they yet survive, the strongest interest seems to concentrate around the closing days of the honoured proto-martyr of Madagascar, Rafaravavy. Placed by the unrighteous deed of "them that can kill the body only," beyond the reach of further vengeance, we feel at liberty to give a more detailed account of her previous history and conduct.

From the time of her having embraced the truth as it is in Jesus, which was about seven years ago, she gave the most satisfactory evidence of the power of the Gospel in its transforming influence, and in her whole deportment honourably exemplified the Christian character. Mild and open in disposition, yet energetic and persevering, and endowed with highly respectable natural abilities, she presented one of the happiest illustrations of native character the Missionaries had met with, and, under the influence of religion, one of the most satisfactory examples they could desire of success in their ministry; all who saw her beheld a heathen who had been brought from darkness to light, and was filled with the fruits of the Spirit. Her prayerful efforts in the behalf of others, sustained by her own consistency of deportment, could not be and were not without effect. Should prudential reasons continue to restrain us from saying more at present, yet the day that will reveal the secrets of all hearts will disclose her labours of love, and the blessing with which they were honoured of God.

In the summer of 1836, her faith and patience were put to a severe test, endured the trial, and were found more precious than gold though tried with fire. An accusation was laid against her before the Government by some of her slaves, of her having observed the Sabbath, retained and read a copy of the Scriptures, and conversed with some of her companions on religious subjects. These were the crimes laid to her charge. She denied not, but confessed the truth of the accusation, and neither the grey hairs of a parent, a zealous idolater, could persuade, nor the frowning threats of the Sovereign could terrify, her into an abandonment of her profession. In daily prospect of death, she then remarked to a beloved friend, to whom she was accustomed, amidst mutual tears, to pour out the feelings of her heart, that as to her life she felt indifferent; that if her blood were to be shed on the land, she trusted it might be the means of kindling such a feeling of interest in Madagascar as should never be extinguished. "Did not the Saviour

* According to the custom of Madagascar, when the property of a criminal is confiscated, a certain portion-one tenth-is distributed among the civil officers. It is a circumstance of considerable interest, that in the present instance, when the legal portion of the confiscated property was offered to the parties above referred to, few could be induced to accept it, only some of the most profligate would touch what appeared to have something sacred about it.

forewarn us," said she," that we should incur the hatred of all men for his sake? The Son of God has died in our stead, and that will shortly redeem us from all our sufferings. I know in whom I have believed; and though my blood be shed,* the word of God must prosper in this country." She added, with great feeling, "Pray for me, that if it be the Lord's will I should suffer now, that he would take my soul to himself; but that, if I am spared, I may live more than ever to his glory." Nothing grieved her, she remarked, so much as the spiritual state of those around her; and that the immediate prospect of martyrdom itself was less painful to her than seeing all her connexions living in wickedness.

The Queen did not, at that time, think fit to inflict on her the punishment of death. She was condemned to be " very ilana," that is, a pecuniary fine was imposed, equivalent to half the amount of her estimated value if sold into slavery, and she was severely threatened, and warned, that "Though her life was spared, she should be taught a lesson not to trifle with the edict of the Queen."

Scarcely could a more striking example of Christian forgiveness and meekness be found in all the records of the Church, than she displayed on this trying occasion. While many of the members of her family, indignant with her accusers, as slaves who ill requited former kindness, threatened punishment, she assured them, on her liberation, that she cherished no resentment, but freely and fully forgave them. She sought Divine mercy on their behalf, earnestly admonished them, affectionately prayed with them, endeavoured to lead them to repentance, and to direct them to the Saviour. Her exemplary Christian spirit towards her accusers, besides forming a further proof of the reality and the elevation of her piety, has also left satisfactory evidence that her holy labours were not in vain.

After this sketch of her career, it will not create surprise to hear that the continued persecution, which has now burst forth with increased violence, should have found her among its earliest victims. Rafaravavy has the honour of being the first martyr of Madagascar. It was near her residence that the prohibited books-the Scriptures, with other publications issued from the Missionary press-were found. On her the vengeance of the Sovereign has been inflicted, and she has fallen under the spear of the public executioner; but her spirit has joined the company of the redeemed in glory, who have come out of great tribulation. Her last moments are thus described in a letter from Mr.

Johns :

"On the books being found near her house, her entire property was given up to plunder, her person secured, and her hands and feet loaded with heavy iron rings. She was menaced in vain during a period of from eight to ten days, to induce her to impeach her companions. She remained firm, and perfectly composed; and was put to death by spearing on the 14th of August, 1837. She had said repeatedly by letter to her friend, Mrs. Johns, 'Do not fear on my account. I am ready and prepared to die for Jesus, if such be the will of God.' She was most wonderfully supported to the last moment of her life. Her age at the time of her death was thirty-eight years. Many even of the old people remarked they had never seen any one so 'stubborn' as Rafaravavy, for although the Queen forbade her to pray, she did pray even when in irons, and continued to preach Christ to the officers and to the crowd that followed her for nearly three quarters of a mile, from the place of public condemnation to the place of common execution. Here she continued to pray and to exhort all around her to believe in Jesus Christ, even till the executioner's spear, thrust through her body, deprived her of the power of utterance."

* In speaking of her death, she employed a term which also contained allusion to the fact of her body being left at the place of execution to be devoured by the dogs that swarm in the neighbourhood.

In relation to her death, Mr. Baker justly remarks :-" Never did a Christian martyr in the annals of the Church suffer from motives more pure, simple, and unmixed with earthly alloy. She had never heard of any after-glory of martyrdom on earth. No external splendour had been cast around the subject in her mind, by reading any lives of martyrs. All was to her obloquy and contempt. Her own father and relatives to the very last accused her of stubbornness. The people generally regarded her as stubborn, and worthy of punishment even on that account. She had no earthly friends to support and cheer her. She was not poor in outward circumstances, and by recantation and by humbling herself to beg pardon of the Queen, she might very probably have saved her life. But her whole heart, as her letters testify, was filled with the love of Jesus. She endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Her letters are composed principally of passages from the gospels and epistles, and these, doubtless, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, were the entire support of her mind in the last hour of trial. If the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,' we may trust that Rafaravavy will not have died in vain. She died directly and exclusively in defence of the Gospel."

Allusion has been made to her letters. It may suffice at present to give the following extract from one of her communications to Mr. Johns, written shortly before her last imprisonment :

My

"Blessed be God who hath given us access by our Lord Jesus Christ. earnest prayer to God is, that he would enable me to obey the words of Jesus to his disciples, Matt. xvi. 24, 'If any man desire to come after me, let him deny himself,' &c. Hence, then, none of these things move me, nor count I my life dear to myself that I may finish my course in the service I have received of the Lord Jesus. Do not you, Missionaries, grieve under an idea that your labour here has been in vain in the Lord; through the blessing of God it succeeds. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; but it is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe.' Here is my ground of confidence; the power of God cannot be effectually resisted. I will go in the strength of the Lord. Though I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for God is with me. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' May I be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death: if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' Phil. iii. 9—14.

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Pray for us, that the Lord may open the door for his word among us." These are statements on which we feel it superfluous to offer lengthened comment. And yet we equally feel it impossible to withhold the expression of devout admiration, while contemplating such bright, such impressive evidence of the reality and efficacy of the Gospel. Here is a converted idolater brought to the martyr's test, and nobly "refusing to accept deliverance that she might obtain a better resurrection; out of weakness waxing strong," and counting not even life itself worth possessing, without the confession of the Saviour's name!

Where is the Christian who will not realise a glow of sacred delight and rapture in finding that, after eighteen centuries have passed, the Gospel he has

embraced is still the grand consolation it ever was, even in the most dark and perilous scenes of human existence? Where is the friend of Missions who does not rise from the record of these facts, and exultingly bless God that the religion of the Cross can still provide even in the midst of pagan hostility and cruelty, its confessors and its martyrs? Where is the sceptic that can withhold his tribute of respect on contemplating such elevated moral courage, such strength of principle amidst appalling dangers, and such meek submission under accumulated sufferings?

He who sitteth on the throne of the universe still watches over the interests of his Church; and we are persuaded that the friends of Missions will, with holy earnestness, bear the cause of the Redeemer in Madagascar before the throne of mercy. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Cannot He, whose allsubduing spirit changed a Pomare, and an Africaner, and made them steady friends and supporters of His cause, change the fierce and haughty spirit of a Ranavalona into the submissive, believing, and obedient spirit of a Rafaravavy ; then she who is now reckless of the blood and sufferings of her subjects, would bow at the Cross of Him whose name she has resolved to exterminate, and find forgiveness with him, in whom is plenteous redemption?

In all seasons of extremity the church has had recourse to prayer; fervent and believing prayer has never been offered in vain, and it is earnestly to be hoped that our Christian Brethren in pleading for Madagascar will implore the support our persecuted friends require, that they may fear none of these things; be "in nothing terrified by their adversaries;" that they may be stedfast and immoveable, not only taking joyfully the spoiling of their goods, but committing their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

The events of deep and solemn interest which have occasioned our present communication will not be regarded as affecting the members of the London Missionary Society only, but will, we are persuaded, appeal with equal force to the disciples of Christ in every section of the Church in our own beloved country (once the scene of similar cruelty and suffering for His name's sake)—the churches of Europe, America, and the entire fellowship of Believers throughout the world will also devoutly respond to the reiterated plea of their brethren in bonds. All true Christians are members of but one body, and the unity and oneness of that body, so beautifully and strikingly illustrated by the Apostle in the declaration, that " whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it," will, we feel assured, be exemplified on this occasion; and throughout that body the most tender and hallowed sympathies will be felt, and fervent and united prayer will arise until the Lord shall come forth out of his place, make bare his holy arm, and effect deliverance for those who are now drawn out unto death, and ready to be slain.

To the Directors of the Society, and their Brethren in the Ministry in London and its immediate vicinity, it appeared desirable that the afflictive intelligence from Madagascar should be noticed in their respective congregations on the fourth Sabbath of the month of January, and that a meeting for special prayer on behalf of the native Christians in Madagascar should be held on the following Monday evening, the 29th ultimo. The Directors respectfully suggested the adoption of a similar course by their brethren throughout the country as far as practicable; and they now feel assured that those Christian friends who were not able to meet on that occasion will remember their brethren in affliction at the Missionary prayermeeting for the present month.

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